In the first four months of 2025, more than 3,500 Bangladeshis were denied entry and deported after being linked to digital recruitment scams. Many people handed over their entire life savings before they even stepped on a plane. Some borrowed heavily, expecting overseas income would clear their debt, only to return home with nothing.
This is a widespread problem. Overseas work is still one of the most common ways to improve income for many families. But the system around overseas work has changed significantly in recent years. Job offers now move through social media, messaging apps, and informal networks. Real opportunities and fake ones often look similar at the start.
For workers, the hardest part is not finding a overseas job. It is knowing which one is real.
Why Overseas Job Risks Are Increasing
Overseas job offers are now widely shared on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. These platforms make it easy to reach workers quickly, but also easy to spread unverified or misleading offers. Most messages are very simple, a salary, a destination country, and a promise of fast hiring — often without any verifiable company details or clear recruitment process.
In Bangladesh, overseas recruitment also relies heavily on informal brokers known as dalals. They are deeply involved in the migration process. Some work with licensed agencies, while others operate without registration or oversight. Many simply pass along job information without verifying it, which blurs the line between legitimate and risky recruitment.
Verification is limited for many workers, and financial pressure is high. Higher overseas wages, family expectations, and limited local opportunities often push people to act quickly, even when information is incomplete or unclear.
To help reduce this risk, the government of Bangladesh has introduced the ScamCheck platform. It allows citizens to upload suspicious links, emails, or messages for analysis and helps identify potential scams before they spread further.
How Overseas Job Scams Typically Unfold
The initial offer
It often starts with a simple message. It might be a job in Malaysia, the UAE, or another common destination. The salary is clearly stated and usually higher than expected. Requirements are minimal. Sometimes the post mentions “urgent hiring” or “limited slots.”
Building credibility
Once contact is made, the agent or recruiter starts to provide more details. This may include a contract, a company name, or a website. Some also share photos of workers abroad or screenshots of past placements.
These details are meant to reduce doubt. But they are rarely enough to confirm anything. Documents can be copied. Company names can be reused. Websites can be created quickly and made to look official.
Payment requests
This is where the trap closes. They will ask for "visa fees" or "medical costs," but watch for two big red flags: they want the money sent to a private bank account, and they tell you it must be done "immediately" or you'll lose the job.
After payment
After money is sent, communication may slow down. New fees may appear. Departure dates may change.
Sometimes the recruiter just vanishes with your money. Other times, you might actually travel, only to find the job is a lie. By then, you've spent so much that you feel forced to stay, even in a bad situation.
6 Signs to Check If an Overseas Job Offer Is Real
This is the most important part. Many scams can be avoided with a few careful checks, but those checks need to be specific.
1. Don’t rely only on what the recruiter tells you about the company
Do not rely only on the information sent by the recruiter. Search for the company independently. Look for consistent details across multiple sources. A real company leaves a trail. You should be able to find their history, photos of their office, and reviews from other workers.
If the company name leads to different addresses, unclear contact details, or very limited information, that should raise questions.
2. Read the contract for detail, not just salary
A contract that only focuses on salary is not enough. You need to see clear information about the job role, working hours, location, and employer responsibilities.
Watch out for empty words. If the contract says you’ll do “general work” but doesn’t list your specific role or hours, that document won’t protect you when things go wrong.
3. Pay attention to how payment is handled
Never send money to a personal bank account. Legitimate companies have business accounts and provide official receipts. If they want the money in a private name or a mobile wallet, walk away. Real recruitment processes may involve fees, but they are usually clearly documented and tied to a registered company.
4. Watch for pressure and urgency
A real employer will give you time to think. If a recruiter is shouting that it’s your “last chance” or “only 2 slots left,” they are trying to stop you from thinking clearly. Don't let their rush become your mistake.
5. Check communication channels
If all communication happens through messaging apps and there is no official email or office contact, you are relying entirely on one person. That does not automatically mean the offer is fake, but it does increase your risk. If that person disappears, you’ll have no way to find them.
6. Compare the offer with typical market conditions
If a job offers a much higher salary than similar roles in the same country, you should question it. The same applies if the requirements are unusually low. A large gap between the offer and what is commonly known is often a sign that the information is not reliable.
Bangladesh has official channels for overseas employment, including BOESL and other licensed recruitment agencies. These systems generally follow more structured procedures for job posting and verification. Before you sign anything, it helps to compare your offer with how these formal processes usually work. If an agent is doing things differently, or hiding details that are normally made clear in regulated channels, that is a strong warning sign.
Stay Safe in Your imo Chats
If you receive job offers or recruitment messages on imo while looking for work, here are a few simple ways to stay safe:
Keep your passport to yourself.
Never send a photo of your ID or passport over a chat. These can be used for identity misuse or pressure later. Legitimate agencies usually request documents through official channels or in person.
Don’t trust a friendly voice.
A kind voice note is not a legal contract. Scammers sound like a "brother" or a friend to win your trust. If they avoid giving a verifiable office address or official website, be cautious.
Be careful with “official-looking” profiles.
Anyone can download a company logo and use it as their profile picture. Names like “Visa Expert” or similar titles are not proof of legitimacy.
Use the "Report" button.
If someone pressures you for money via mobile wallet or gets angry when you ask questions, they are hiding something. By reporting them, you aren't just saving your own money, you are stopping that scammer from ruining the lives of other workers in your community.
How to Report on imo:
How do I report violations on imo private chat?
Report Users Counterfeiting Official Account
If You Have Already Paid or Feel Something Is Wrong
Stop sending more money. This is the first step, even if you are worried about losing what you have already paid. Keep all records, including messages, receipts, and account details. These may be useful if you decide to report the case. If possible, contact local authorities or relevant organizations. Even if the outcome is uncertain, reporting helps build a clearer picture of how these scams operate.
Read more
We’ve covered more real scam cases and warning signs in other articles you might find useful.
What Is a Phishing Scam? How to Recognize and Avoid Scams
What Are Investment Scams and How Can You Spot Them